Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Disclaimer #2: I do not own Bubbly either.
Author's Note: Each chapter is inspired (and starts out with) a line from the song Bubbly, by Colbie Caillat. I started with the lyrics partway through the song though, cause I like them better. Good song though. Please listen to it.
The rain is falling on my window pane…
The chilly autumn breeze blew Yuzu Kurosaki's short hair across her face as she rushed along the back streets towards the small coffee shop where she worked.
A small chime rang as she pushed open the door, eager to get inside and away from the ominous clouds growing outside, threatening rain.
Slipping off her coat, she stepped behind the counter, offering a quick and cheery hello to the tired looking girl placing muffins in a glass display case.
Yuzu had only just started working at the small, out-of –the-way coffee shop on the outskirts of China town, saving up her money to pay for classes at the academy. Her recent move to Canada's west coast had gone well, but she needed money to pursue her dream of becoming a master chef, and the coffee shop was wonderful.
A crack of thunder escaped from the dense gray clouds outside, and the chime on the door rang again. A man in a drenched raincoat stepped up to the counter.
"Hi, I'm Yuzu, how can I help you today?" Yuzu smiled at the man.
"Small coffee"
"Is that all?"
"Small coffee."
"Er, so would that be two small coffees?"
"Small coffee."
Yuzu sighed. It was going to be a long day.
About an hour later, and Yuzu was nearing the end of her shift. Despite a few difficult customers, she kept up her cheery attitude, always looking on the bright side of things.
There was a pause in the flow of customers, and Yuzu took a moment to breath. She looked through the window, noticing the storm clouds still covering the city and the heavy rain pounding on the narrow street outside.
Inside the shop, a fire in the fireplace lent a cozy atmosphere while keeping the dim café warm. Customers lingered in the soft armchairs, unwilling to leave the warmth to step into the cold rain outside the door.
The chime on the door rang again.
A tall man in a raincoat stepped up to the counter, pulling back his hood. He had long black hair that almost seemed to flow, and he was undeniably handsome. His striking features drew the eyes of several women in the room.
Yuzu inhaled sharply. Despite his stunning looks, she was determinded to treat him exactly the same as she treated all her other customers. Because that's all he is to me, she thought. Just another cutomer.
"Hi, I'm Yuzu, how can I help you today?"
The man paused. Yuzu had the feeling he had only really come into the shop to get out of the rain, and was now regretting his choice.
"I will have tea."
"I'm sorry, could you be a bit more specific please?"
"Japanese green tea will be perfectly suitable."
He doesn't fit in here at all, Yuzu thought. He seems totally out of place, too formal for a little place like this.
Yuzu got his tea, doing her best to keep her eyes off him. It wasn't easy.
She finished up, watching him sit down in one of the large armchairs by the fire.
There, she thought. I treated him just like everyone else. Nothing special.
She was pleased. After all, she thought, he doesn't deserve any more than the customer before him.
The customer before him, in fact, happened to be name Freddy, as he had reminded Yuzu on several occasions. Freddy was just starting his first year of university, and was a regular at the café.
He was nice enough, Yuzu thought. Despite having… Yuzu wondered how to put it delicately. Despite having "special" views on hygiene. And skin care.
"Excuse me."
The voice interrupted Yuzu's reverie. She looked up to find the handsome man standing at the counter.
"May I please have some sugar in this?" He held out the cup of tea.
"Sure, Mr..."
"Byakuya Kuchiki."
"I'm Yuzu Kurosaki, by the way."
"You introduced yourself earlier."
"Oh, ahh… sorry, Mr. Kuchiki."
"You may call me Byakuya."
"Alright, umm, thanks." Yuzu looked down. Having so many regulars at the shop, she was used to being on a first name basis with customers. Usually introductions went a bit better than this.
Byakuya returned to his seat by the fire, leaving Yuzu to think. The introduction could have gone better, she thought, but at least I know his name. Byakuya. Byakuya Kuchiki.
Yuzu looked up at the rain washed window, a small smile appearing on her face.
The rain is falling on my window pane…